Poet Streets

Poet Streets – Play in Progress

Setting: An old 1920’s theater- Present Day or adapted to any era-

Narrator: (Speaking from a tree)

The harbor of her heart rested in the theater. She fanned her breast and gave a tug on the piano players sleeve to continue with the song even though Leah was weary, she sought the company of a soft refrain. The evenings rehearsal had been a dreary parade of interrupted stops. The Barker was hoarse with laryngitis. The Director was hung over and every little whisper in the wings sent him shouting, “Stop the noise or you will be thrown out of the play.” It was a long day of tight fitting prop shoes and smoldering stares from the stage manager. The occasional piano music from Bart seemed to be the only thread to what was left of her muse. She had long since forgotten why she got into this business to begin with. Her thoughts drifted with the immaculate sensitivity of Barts classical reprieve, bending the corners of modern day back into centuries long ago where masters walked and women wore hats and carried parasols, where they were read poetry and courted, and spilled out into meadows like elegant birds in a soft parade. The promanade of fair women, and the sweetest diligence to their well bred gait took my breath away. Leah remembers this too, she surrenders to the notes the way a feather lets the wind carry it where it may. I could sit here for hours and simply watch her as she listens to the peeling piano notes.

One might wonder why I talk to you from this tree. I am always a little confused by it myself. As being a man this seems totally out of my natural habitat. But here I am, perched her like a dove looking down into the the transit windows where she is on stage. She is my muse, my charge, my once in a lifetime love. I can see the whole play from here!

Leah: That was lovely Bart- Thank You, I have forgotten how melodic Beethoven can be.

Bart: you are welcome Miss Leah, nothing but the best for a repreive from the rattle of the boards so close to opening. It gets hectic, but it will fall into place.

Leah: Yes, I know, it’s always like this. The roar of the crowd and the smell of the greasepaint though has lost a little of it’s flavor with me this time round. (patting him on the back) I am going to go to the diner now, you want to join me?

Bart: I still have a song to work out with Rene. You go, and I will see you tomarrow.

Leah: Don’t take to long getting out of her. This life will swallow you up and spit you out , turn you into a stand up placard in someone’s apartment.

Bart: Oh I won’t, I don’t look very good in carboard, besides there is a late night show at Bindi’s, the band Orangelo is playing. Not like Beethoven, rather a jazz classical group. They have a flair for the poetic melody of a lingering returning refrain that’s pretty interesting; it’s like a twist of lemon in a glass of exotic wine from a remote village.

Leah: Ok, till then. (she kisses his head, walks out the side theater door. She passes by windows with tableaus of people talking and laughing, she passes by a street dancer performing, a couple holding hands, an old woman walking slowly, and opens up her umbrella as it begins to thunder and lighting as she nears the diner door.)

Interior of Diner: She sits at the counter and takes out a little piece of paper that she folds into an orgami bird. Everyone is either eating or talking to their diner mate. Leah looks observes, and folds the bird . She looks around and sees that the rain has begun. She fold the bird once again until the waitress stops in front of her.

Waitress: Nice bird… that’s very pretty. What are going to have tonight?

Leah: I will have coffee and ginger bread with whipped cream with a tossed garden salad. Hey has that man from the agency come in lately?

Waitress: Oh you mean the tall dark and quiet one?

Leah: Yeah I had’nt thought of it that way, but ya, that guy.

Waitress: He was in for afternoon coffee. He looked a little opreoccupied, like he had something on his mind. You know that kind of faraway, not paying much to his surroundings look.

Leah: Yes, I do that one myself. He is usually very talkative. He might just be busy.

Waitress: Maybe so. I’ll get that order right up to you. What kind of dressing do you want?